User plane connection management method and related equipment

Abstract

The invention provides a user plane connection management method and related equipment, which are used for providing a mode of terminating user plane connection between UE and an LMF in a positioning scene based on user plane connection, and can release connection and resources in time. The method comprises: a first device sends a first message to a second device through a user plane connection with the second device, the first message being used for indicating a request to terminate the user plane connection, the first device being one of a location management function network element or a user device, and the second device being one of the location management function network element and the user device; the second device is the other one of the location management function network element or the user equipment; the first equipment receives a second message sent by the second equipment through the user plane connection, and the second message is used for indicating to confirm to terminate the user plane connection; and the first device determines to terminate the user plane connection based on the second message.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a user plane connection management method and related equipment. Background Art

[0002] Positioning based on the user plane is an important part of 3GPP R18 eLCS research. Supplementary service information and LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) information can be transmitted between the User Equipment (UE) and the Location Management Function (LMF) by establishing a user plane connection. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present application provides a user plane connection management method and related equipment, which are used to provide a method for terminating the user plane connection between the UE and the LMF in a positioning scenario based on the user plane connection, so as to release the connection and resources in time.

[0004] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a user plane connection management method, which may include:

[0005] A first device sends a first message to the second device through a user plane connection between the first device and the second device, wherein the first message is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection, wherein the first device is a location management function network element or a user equipment, and the second device is the other of the location management function network element or the user equipment;

[0006] The first device receives, through the user plane connection, a second message sent by the second device, wherein the second message is used to indicate confirmation of terminating the user plane connection;

[0007] The first device determines, based on the second message, to terminate the user plane connection.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present application, the location management function network element may initiate the process of terminating the user plane connection. Alternatively, the user plane connection process may be initiated by the user device. For ease of introduction, the user plane connection process may be initiated by the first device as an example. The first device terminates the user plane connection between the two devices by sending a first message to the second device. The first device may determine that the second device has confirmed that the user plane connection may be terminated based on receipt of a second message sent by the second device. The first device may complete the negotiation process of terminating the user plane connection with the second device based on the second message. The first device may no longer use the user plane connection to transmit positioning messages to the second device. Such a design may release the user plane connection and release resources. This is conducive to improving resource utilization in the communication system.

[0009] In some possible application scenarios, if the first device detects that the user plane connection is not used (eg, to transmit information) within a preset time period, it may determine to initiate a user plane connection termination process, or trigger a user plane termination process.

[0010] Optionally, the first message may carry user plane information. The first message may carry a termination reason.

[0011] In some examples, in the user plane connection management method provided by an embodiment of the present application, the first message carries first connection indication information, and the first connection indication information is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection.

[0012] In some examples, in the user plane connection management method provided by an embodiment of the present application, the second message carries confirmation termination indication information, and the confirmation termination indication information is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the user plane connection.

[0013] In a possible implementation, in the user plane connection management method provided in an embodiment of the present application, the first message further carries second connection indication information, and the second connection indication information is used to indicate that the positioning information is transmitted through the control plane connection.

[0014] In the embodiment of the present application, the first device may carry the subsequent transmission of positioning information through the first message. For example, the first message carries the second connection indication information to instruct the second device to switch to exchanging positioning information with the first device through the control plane connection.

[0015] In a possible implementation manner, the user plane connection management method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes:

[0016] The first device and the second device transmit positioning information via the control plane connection.

[0017] In a possible implementation manner, in the user plane connection management method provided in the embodiment of the present application, if the first device is a location management function network element, after determining to terminate the user plane connection, the method further includes:

[0018] The first device sends a third message to the access and mobility management function network element, where the third message carries indication information for determining to terminate the user plane connection, where the indication information for determining to terminate the user plane connection is used to indicate that the user plane connection has been terminated.

[0019] In the embodiment of the present application, the first device indicates to the access and mobility management function network element that the user plane connection has been terminated, so that the access and mobility management function network element deletes the context of the user plane connection.

[0020] In a possible implementation manner, in the user plane connection management method provided in the embodiment of the present application, if the first device is the user equipment: after determining to terminate the user plane connection, the method further includes:

[0021] Send a target protocol data unit (PDU) session request to the access and mobility management function network element, where the target PDU session request carries the following information:

[0022] One of releasing resource indication information and modifying resource indication information, and terminating user plane connection indication;

[0023] Among them, the release resource indication information is used to indicate the release of the protocol data unit session corresponding to the user plane connection, the modification resource indication information is used to indicate the modification of the protocol data unit session corresponding to the user plane connection, and the termination user plane connection indication information is used to indicate that the user plane connection has been terminated.

[0024] In an embodiment of the present application, after the user plane connection between the user equipment and the LMF is terminated, the user equipment may release or modify the dedicated PDU session. The user equipment may also indicate that the user plane connection has been terminated so that the access and mobility management function network element deletes the context of the user plane connection.

[0025] In a possible implementation manner, the user plane connection management method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes:

[0026] The first device and the second device transmit positioning information through a new user plane connection.

[0027] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a user plane connection management method, the method comprising:

[0028] The second device receives a first message sent by the first device through a user plane connection between the second device and the first device, wherein the first message is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection, wherein the first device is a location management function network element or a user equipment, and the second device is the other of the location management function network element or the user equipment;

[0029] The second device sends a second message to the first device through the user plane connection, wherein the second message is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the user plane connection.

[0030] In some examples, the first message carries first connection indication information, and the first connection indication information is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection.

[0031] In some other examples, the second message carries confirmation termination indication information, and the confirmation termination indication information is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the user plane connection.

[0032] In a possible implementation manner, in the user plane connection management method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the first message further carries second connection indication information, and the second connection indication information is used to indicate that the positioning message is transmitted through the control plane connection.

[0033] In a possible implementation manner, the user plane connection management method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes:

[0034] The first device and the second device transmit positioning information via the control plane connection.

[0035] In a possible implementation manner, in the user plane connection management method provided in the embodiment of the present application, if the second device is a location management function network element, after sending the second message to the first device, the method further includes:

[0036] The second device sends a third message to the access and mobility management function network element, where the third message carries indication information for determining to terminate the user plane connection, where the indication information for determining to terminate the user plane connection is used to indicate that the user plane connection has been terminated.

[0037] In a possible implementation manner, in the user plane connection management method provided in the embodiment of the present application, if the second device is the user equipment: after sending the second message to the first device, the method further includes:

[0038] Send a target protocol data unit (PDU) session request to the access and mobility management function network element, where the target PDU session request carries one or more of the following:

[0039] one of the resource release indication information and the resource modification indication information, and the user plane connection termination indication information;

[0040] Among them, the release resource indication information is used to indicate the release of the protocol data unit session corresponding to the user plane connection, the modification resource indication information is used to indicate the modification of the protocol data unit session corresponding to the user plane connection, and the termination user plane connection indication information is used to indicate that the user plane connection has been terminated.

[0041] In a possible implementation manner, the user plane connection management method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes:

[0042] The first device and the second device transmit positioning information through a new user plane connection.

[0043] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a user plane connection management method, the method comprising:

[0044] The access and mobility management function network element receives a target message, where the target message carries indication information for determining to terminate the user plane connection, where the indication information for determining to terminate the user plane connection is used to indicate that the target user plane connection has been terminated;

[0045] The access and mobility management function network element deletes the context of the target user plane connection based on the target message.

[0046] In a possible implementation manner, in the user plane connection management method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the target message is sent by a location management function network element; or the target message is sent by a user equipment.

[0047] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system. The system includes a location management function network element and a user equipment;

[0048] A first device sends a first message to the second device through a user plane connection between the first device and the second device, wherein the first message is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection, wherein the first device is one of the location management function network element and the user equipment, and the second device is the other of the location management function network element and the user equipment;

[0049] The second device sends a second message to the first device through the user plane connection, wherein the second message is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the user plane connection;

[0050] The first device determines, based on the second message, to terminate the user plane connection.

[0051] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device that may include a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program that can be run on the processor, and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the method described in any one of the first aspect, the second aspect or the third aspect is implemented.

[0052] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the method described in any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect is implemented.

[0053] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which, when called by a computer, enables the computer to execute any one of the methods in the first aspect, the second aspect or the third aspect above.

[0054] In addition, the technical effects brought about by any possible implementation of the second to sixth aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by different implementations of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative labor.

[0056] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Figure 2 A flowchart of a user plane connection management method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Figure 3 A flowchart of a user plane connection management method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] Figure 4 A flowchart of a user plane connection management method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] Figure 5 A flowchart of a user plane connection management method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] Figure 6 A flowchart of a user plane connection management method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] Figure 7 A flowchart of a user plane connection management method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] Figure 8 An interactive flow chart of a user plane connection management method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] Fig. 9 An interactive flow chart of a user plane connection management method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] Fig.10 An interactive flow chart of a user plane connection management method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] Fig.11 A flowchart of a user plane connection management method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] Fig.12A schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] Fig.13 A schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] Fig.14 A schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical scheme in the embodiment of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiment of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiment is only a part of the embodiment of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in the field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application. In the absence of conflict, the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined with each other. In addition, although the logical order is shown in the flow chart, in some cases, the steps shown or described can be performed in an order different from that here.

[0071] The terms "first" and "second" in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, the term "comprising" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive protection. For example, a process, method, system, product or device comprising a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally also includes steps or units that are not listed, or optionally also includes other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices. "Multiple" in the present application can mean at least two, for example, two, three or more, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited.

[0072] In the technical solution of this application, the collection, dissemination, and use of data are in compliance with the requirements of relevant national laws and regulations.

[0073] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system to which this application can be applied. Figure 1As shown, the communication system includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. The radio access network 100 may include at least one access network device (or may be referred to as a RAN device), and may also include at least one terminal. The terminal is connected to the access network device by wireless means. The access network device is connected to the core network by wireless or wired means. The core network device and the access network device may be independent and different physical devices; or may be the same physical device that integrates the functions of the core network device and the functions of the access network device; or may be other possible situations, such as one physical device may integrate the functions of the access network device and part of the core network device, and another physical device implements the remaining functions of the core network device. The present application does not limit the physical existence form of the core network device and the access network device. Terminals may be connected to each other by wire or wireless means. Access network devices may be connected to each other by wire or wireless means. Figure 1 This is only a schematic diagram and is not intended to limit the present application. For example, the communication system may also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, etc. The communication system may also include other types of networks, such as the Internet.

[0074] The access network device is the next generation NodeB (gNB) in the fifth generation (5th generation, 5G) mobile communication system. In the present application, the device for implementing the function of the access network device may be an access network device; or, it may be a device that can support the access network device to implement the function, such as a chip system, a hardware circuit, a software module, or a hardware circuit plus a software module, etc. The device can be installed in the access network device or used in combination with the access network device. In the present application, the chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices. For ease of description, the following takes the example that the device for implementing the function of the access network device is an access network device, and the access network device is a base station to describe the provided technical solution.

[0075] The terminal may also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, or mobile terminal. The terminal can be widely used in various scenarios for communication. For example, the scenario includes but is not limited to at least one of the following: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), device-to-device (D2D), vehicle to everything (V2X), machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of things (IOT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, or smart city. The terminal may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a wearable device, a vehicle, a drone, a helicopter, an airplane, a ship, a robot, a robotic arm, or a smart home device. This application does not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal.

[0076] In the present application, the device for implementing the function of the terminal may be a terminal; or it may be a device capable of supporting the terminal to implement the function, such as a chip system, a hardware circuit, a software module, or a hardware circuit plus a software module, which may be installed in the terminal or may be used in conjunction with the terminal. For ease of description, the following takes the case where the device for implementing the function of the terminal is a terminal as an example, and optionally takes the case where the terminal is a UE as an example to describe the technical solution provided by the present application.

[0077] The base station and / or terminal can be fixed or movable. The base station and / or terminal can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; or can be deployed on the water surface; or can be deployed on aircraft, balloons and artificial satellites in the air. This application does not limit the environment / scenario in which the base station and the terminal are located. The base station and the terminal can be deployed in the same or different environments / scenarios, for example, the base station and the terminal are deployed on land at the same time; or, the base station is deployed on land and the terminal is deployed on the water surface, etc., and examples are not given one by one.

[0078] The core network 200 may include one or more core network elements. Taking 5G as an example, the core network may include at least one of the following network elements: access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, session management function (SMF) network element, user plane function (UPF) network element, policy control function (PCF) network element, unified data management (UDM) network element, application function (AF) network element, or location management function (LMF) network element, etc. These core network elements may be hardware structures, software modules, or hardware structures plus software modules. The implementation forms of different network elements may be the same or different, without limitation. Different core network elements may be different physical devices (or may be called core network devices), or multiple different core network elements may be integrated on one physical device, that is, the physical device has the functions of the multiple core network elements.

[0079] In the present application, the device for realizing the function of the core network device may be the core network device; or it may be a device capable of supporting the core network device to realize the function, such as a chip system, a hardware circuit, a software module, or a hardware circuit plus a software module, which may be installed in the core network device or may be used in combination with the core network device. In the present application, the technical solution provided by the present application is described by taking the device for realizing the function of the core network device as the core network device as an example.

[0080] In the communication system, positioning technology for mobile terminals can be implemented. Positioning technology is used to obtain the location information of mobile terminals. Positioning technology can be applied to the fields of navigation and aviation, surveying and disaster relief, vehicle navigation, logistics information query, or traffic management. With the development of mobile communications, positioning technology based on wireless cellular networks has been widely used. In wireless cellular networks, such as the fourth generation (4G) and 5G mobile communication networks, positioning technology for mobile terminals has been widely studied.

[0081] User plane-based positioning is an important part of 3GPP R18 eLCS research. The UE and LMF can establish a user plane connection to transmit supplementary service information and LPP information. Based on the UE Route Selection Policy (URSP) rules, the UE can reuse the existing PDU session or create a new PDU session for positioning.

[0082] In the embodiment of the present application, the manner in which the core network allocates user plane connection resources or control plane connection resources to the UE is not specifically limited. The UE can establish a user plane connection and a control plane connection with the core network through the access network. The present application does not specifically limit this process.

[0083] Based on this, an embodiment of the present application provides a user plane connection management method, which can terminate the user plane connection between the UE and the LMF when the user plane connection is no longer in use, and release the connection and resources in time.

[0084] Figure 2 According to an exemplary embodiment, a user plane connection management method is shown, which can be performed by a first device. The first device can be a location management function network element (LMF), or the first device can be a user equipment (UE). The method can include the following steps:

[0085] S201: A first device sends a first message to a second device through a user plane connection between the first device and the second device, wherein the first message is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection.

[0086] In a specific implementation, the first device is one of the location management function network element or the user equipment, and the second device is the other of the location management function network element or the user equipment. For example, if the first device is LMF, the second device is UE. For another example, if the first device is UE, the second device is LMF. In an actual application scenario, the UE and LMF are connected through the user plane to transmit supplementary service information and LPP information.

[0087] When the first device determines that the user plane connection with the second device can no longer be used, the first device can trigger the user plane connection termination process, that is, execute the steps in the user plane connection management method provided in the embodiment of the present application. In the embodiment of the present application, the first device may refer to a device that initiates the user plane connection termination process. Optionally, the first device may detect that the user plane connection has not been used within a preset time (such as transmitting information), and may determine to initiate the user plane connection termination process, or trigger the user plane termination process.

[0088] It should be noted that in actual application scenarios, there are many ways for the first device to determine that the user plane connection between the first device and the second device is no longer in use, which can be configured in combination with specific application scenarios. In this application, no specific limitation is made to this.

[0089] In a possible design, the first message may carry first connection indication information, and the first connection indication information is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection. The first connection indication information in the first message is used to indicate a request to terminate the current user plane connection. Optionally, the first device may send a first message carrying the first connection indication information to the second device by adding an indication field in the first LPP message. The first LPP message may be an LPP message for transmitting positioning information between the UE and the LMP.

[0090] In another possible design, the first message may be a second LPP message. The second LPP message may be a new LPP message, and the second LPP message itself is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection. For example, the second LPP message may be a Terminate User Plane Connection message.

[0091] In the present application, "A" sends a message to "B". "A" may send the message to "B" directly. "A" may also send the message to "B" indirectly, for example, "A" sends the message to "B" through at least one "C".

[0092] The first device can transmit a message to the second device directly or indirectly. For example, the first device can transmit a message directly to the second device. For another example, the first device can transmit a message to the second device through one or more other devices. Among them, the other devices can be network elements in the core network or devices in the access network. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this. In some application scenarios, the user plane will forward data through the UPF. That is to say, the LPP message transmitted between the UE and the LMF can be forwarded as PDU data through the UPF.

[0093] S202: The first device receives, through the user plane connection, a second message sent by the second device, wherein the second message is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the user plane connection.

[0094] In specific implementation, after receiving the first message, the second device sends a second message to the first device so that the first device knows that the second device has confirmed the termination of the user plane connection. The second message can be understood as an acknowledgement (ack) of the first message by the second device.

[0095] In one possible design, the second message carries confirmation termination indication information, and the confirmation termination indication information is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the user plane connection. The confirmation termination indication information in the second message is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the current user plane connection. Optionally, the second device can send a second message carrying confirmation indication information to the first device by adding an indication field in a third LPP message. The third LPP message can be an LPP message for transmitting positioning information between the UE and the LMP.

[0096] In another possible design, the second message may be a fourth LPP message. The fourth LPP message may be a new LPP message. The fourth LPP message itself is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the user plane connection.

[0097] S203: The first device determines to terminate the user plane connection based on the second message.

[0098] In a specific implementation, the first device may determine to complete the termination process of the user plane connection with the second device according to the received second message. The first device may determine to terminate the user plane connection. The first device no longer uses the resources corresponding to the user plane connection to exchange data with the second device.

[0099] In a possible implementation, the first message may also carry second connection indication information. The second connection indication information is used to indicate that the positioning message is transmitted through the control plane connection. The second connection indication information in the first message is used to instruct the second device to use the control plane connection to transmit the positioning information. The first message sent by the first device to the second device carries the second connection indication information, which can instruct the second device to transmit the positioning information with the first device through the control plane connection.

[0100] The first device and the second device transmit the positioning information through the control plane connection. For example, the LPP message is encapsulated in the NAS signaling, and the NAS signaling is forwarded by the AMF, so that the first device and the second device can transmit the positioning information through the control plane connection. This application will not go into details.

[0101] In another possible implementation, after the current user plane connection is terminated, if the first device and the second device still need to transmit information through the user plane connection, the first device can transmit positioning information to the second device through a new user plane connection (also a new user plane connection resource).

[0102] In one possible scenario, after step S203, the first device or the second device may notify the access and mobility management function network element (ie, AMF) so that the AMF is informed that the user plane connection between the first device and the second device has been terminated. The AMF may delete the context of the user plane connection.

[0103] Figure 3 An exemplary method for user plane connection management is shown, which is performed by LMF. The method may include the following steps:

[0104] S301, LMF sends a first message to the target UE through the user plane connection between the LMF and the target UE, wherein the first message is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection.

[0105] In specific implementation, the target UE may be any one of the at least one UE interacting with the LMF. In this embodiment, the management of the user plane connection between the target UEs by the LMF is taken as an example for introduction.

[0106] S302, LMF receives a second message sent by the target UE through the user plane connection, wherein the second message is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the user plane connection.

[0107] S303: LMF determines to terminate the user plane connection based on the second message.

[0108] In the embodiments of the present application, the related introduction of the first message and the second message can be found in the related description in the aforementioned embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0109] Optionally, the LMF sends a third message to the access and mobility management function network element, where the third message carries indication information for determining that the user plane connection has been terminated, and the indication information for determining that the user plane connection has been terminated is used to indicate that the user plane connection has been terminated.

[0110] In specific implementation, LMF can send a third message to the access and mobility management function network element, that is, AMF. LMF notifies AMF that the user plane connection between the LMF and the target user equipment has been terminated, indicating that AMF can delete the context of the user plane connection. Optionally, the third message can be a Nlmf_Location_UPNotify message. LMF can add confirmation of the termination of the user plane connection indication information in the Nlmf_Location_UPNotify message.

[0111] Figure 4 An exemplary method for user plane connection management is shown, and the method is performed by a UE. The method may include the following steps:

[0112] S401, the UE sends a first message to the second device through the user plane connection between the UE and the LMF, wherein the first message is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection.

[0113] S402, the UE receives a second message sent by the LMF through the user plane connection, wherein the second message is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the user plane connection.

[0114] S403: The UE determines to terminate the user plane connection based on the second message.

[0115] In the embodiments of the present application, the related introduction of the first message and the second message can be found in the related description in the aforementioned embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0116] Optionally, the UE may send a target protocol data unit PDU session request to the AMF to the access and mobility management function network element, where the target PDU session request carries the following information:

[0117] one of the resource release indication information and the resource modification indication information, and the user plane connection termination indication information;

[0118] Among them, the release resource indication information is used to indicate the release of the protocol data unit session corresponding to the user plane connection, the modification resource indication information is used to indicate the modification of the protocol data unit session corresponding to the user plane connection, and the termination user plane connection indication information is used to indicate that the user plane connection has been terminated.

[0119] It should be understood that the target PDU session does not carry the release resource indication information and the modification resource indication information at the same time. The target PDU session carries the release resource indication information. Alternatively, the target PDU session carries the release resource indication information and the determination to terminate the user plane connection indication information. Alternatively, the target PDU session carries the modification resource indication information. Alternatively, the target PDU session carries the modification resource indication information and the determination to terminate the user plane connection indication information.

[0120] The resource release indication information and resource modification indication information can be understood as the type information of the existing PDU session request. The AMF can perform corresponding operations according to the type of the PDU session request.

[0121] In a possible application scenario, the user plane connection between the UE and the LMF corresponds to a dedicated PDUsession. In some examples, after determining to release the dedicated PDU session, the UE may send a target PDU session request to the AMF, wherein the target PDU session request releases resource indication information to instruct the core network side to release the resources of the dedicated PDUsession. Optionally, the target PDU session request may also carry an indication information to determine to terminate the user plane connection to instruct the core network side to delete the context of the user plane connection.

[0122] In other examples, the UE may not release the dedicated PDU session, and the UE may send a PDU session request carrying resource modification indication information to the AMF to instruct the core network side to modify the resource information of the dedicated PDU session, and the core network side may determine that the PDU session is no longer used for the user plane connection between the UE and the LMF. Optionally, the target PDU session request may also carry information indicating the termination of the user plane connection to instruct the core network side to delete the context of the user plane connection.

[0123] It can be understood from the above embodiments that the first device in the present application may refer to a device that initiates a user plane connection termination process. The present application also provides a user plane connection management method that may be executed by a second device.

[0124] Figure 5 According to an exemplary embodiment, a user plane connection management method is shown, which can be performed by a second device. The method may include the following steps:

[0125] S501: A second device receives a first message sent by a first device through a user plane connection between the second device and the first device, wherein the first message is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection.

[0126] In a specific implementation, the first device is one of the location management function network element or the user equipment, and the second device is the other of the location management function network element or the user equipment. For example, if the first device is LMF, the second device is UE. For another example, if the first device is UE, the second device is LMF. In an actual application scenario, the UE and LMF are connected through the user plane to transmit supplementary service information and LPP information.

[0127] The second device receives the first message through the user plane connection with the first device, which may reflect that the first device initiates the process of terminating the user plane connection. The second device may learn that the first device decides to terminate the user plane connection.

[0128] S502: The second device sends a second message to the first device through the user plane connection, wherein the second message is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the user plane connection.

[0129] In specific implementation, after receiving the first message, the second device sends response information to the first message, that is, the second message. The second message can be used to indicate confirmation of terminating the user plane connection, so that the first device knows that the second device has received the first message.

[0130] In the embodiments of the present application, the related introduction of the first message and the second message can be found in the related description in the aforementioned embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0131] Figure 6 An exemplary method for user plane connection management is shown, which is performed by LMF. The method may include the following steps:

[0132] S601, LMF receives a first message sent by the target UE through the user plane connection between the target UE and the LMF, wherein the first message is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection.

[0133] S602, LMF sends a second message to the target UE through the user plane connection, wherein the second message is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the user plane connection.

[0134] Optionally, after LMF sends the second message to the target UE, it may also send a third message to AMF, where the third message carries information indicating that the user plane connection has been terminated, and the information indicating that the user plane connection has been terminated is used to indicate that the user plane connection has been terminated. For the relevant introduction of the third message, please refer to the description in the aforementioned embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0135] Figure 7 An exemplary method for user plane connection management is shown, and the method is performed by a UE. The method may include the following steps:

[0136] S701, the UE receives a first message sent by the LMF through a user plane connection between the UE and the LMF, wherein the first message is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection.

[0137] S702, the UE sends a second message to the LMF through the user plane connection, wherein the second message is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the user plane connection.

[0138] Optionally, after the UE sends the second message to the LMF, the UE may send a target PDU session request to the AMF, where the target PDU session request carries the following information:

[0139] one of the resource release indication information and the resource modification indication information, and the user plane connection termination indication information;

[0140] Among them, the release resource indication information is used to indicate the release of the protocol data unit session corresponding to the user plane connection, the modification resource indication information is used to indicate the modification of the protocol data unit session corresponding to the user plane connection, and the termination user plane connection indication information is used to indicate that the user plane connection has been terminated.

[0141] It should be understood that the target PDU session does not carry the release resource indication information and the modification resource indication information at the same time. The target PDU session carries the release resource indication information. Alternatively, the target PDU session carries the release resource indication information and the determination to terminate the user plane connection indication information. Alternatively, the target PDU session carries the modification resource indication information. Alternatively, the target PDU session carries the modification resource indication information and the determination to terminate the user plane connection indication information.

[0142] In a possible application scenario, the user plane connection between the UE and the LMF corresponds to a dedicated PDUsession. In some examples, after determining to release the dedicated PDU session, the UE may send a target PDU session request to the AMF, wherein the target PDU session request releases resource indication information to instruct the core network side to release the resources of the dedicated PDUsession. Optionally, the target PDU session request may also carry an indication information to determine to terminate the user plane connection to instruct the core network side to delete the context of the user plane connection.

[0143] In other examples, the UE may not release the dedicated PDU session, and the UE may send a PDU session request carrying resource modification indication information to the AMF to instruct the core network side to modify the resource information of the dedicated PDU session. Optionally, the target PDU session request may also carry information indicating the termination of the user plane connection to instruct the core network side to delete the context of the user plane connection.

[0144] Figure 8 According to an exemplary embodiment, a diagram of interaction between UE and LMF in a user plane connection management method is shown. The method may include the following steps:

[0145] S801, LMF sends a first message to the target UE through the user plane connection between the LMF and the UE, wherein the first message is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection.

[0146] S802, the UE sends a second message to the LMF through the user plane connection, wherein the second message is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the user plane connection.

[0147] S803: LMF determines to terminate the user plane connection based on the second message.

[0148] Optionally, in a possible design, after step S803, the method may further include step S804 and step S805.

[0149] S804, LMF sends a third message to AMF, where the third message carries indication information for determining to terminate the user plane connection, and the indication information for determining to terminate the user plane connection is used to indicate that the user plane connection has been terminated.

[0150] S805: AMF deletes the context of the user plane connection.

[0151] Optionally, in a possible design, after step S803, the method may further include step S806 and step S807.

[0152] S806, the UE sends a target PDU session request to the AMF, where the target PDU session request carries resource release indication information or resource modification indication information.

[0153] S807, AMF performs corresponding operations according to the information carried in the target PDU session request.

[0154] For example, if the target PDU session request carries resource release indication information, the AMF releases the dedicated PDU session resources corresponding to the user plane connection according to the resource release indication information. For another example, if the target PDU session request carries resource modification indication information, the AMF modifies the dedicated PDU session resources corresponding to the user plane connection according to the resource modification indication information.

[0155] Optionally, in a possible design, the user plane connection management method also includes a way for the UE and the LMF to subsequently transmit positioning information. In some examples, in step S801, the first message also carries second connection indication information, and the second connection indication information is used to indicate that the positioning information is transmitted through the control plane connection. After step S803, the UE and the LMF can transmit the positioning information through the control plane connection according to the second connection indication information. In some other examples, the UE and the LMF can transmit the positioning information through a new user plane connection.

[0156] Fig. 9 According to an exemplary embodiment, a diagram of interaction between UE and LMF in a user plane connection management method is shown. The method may include the following steps:

[0157] S901, UE sends a first message to LMF through the user plane connection between UE and LMF, wherein the first message is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection.

[0158] S902, LMF sends a second message to the UE through the user plane connection, wherein the second message is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the user plane connection.

[0159] S903: The UE determines to terminate the user plane connection based on the second message.

[0160] Optionally, in a possible design, after step S903, the method may further include step S904 and step S905.

[0161] S904, LMF sends a third message to AMF, where the third message carries indication information for determining to terminate the user plane connection, and the indication information for determining to terminate the user plane connection is used to indicate that the user plane connection has been terminated.

[0162] S905: AMF deletes the context of the user plane connection.

[0163] Optionally, in a possible design, after step S903, the method may further include step S906 and step S907.

[0164] S906, the UE sends a target PDU session request to the AMF, where the target PDU session request carries resource release indication information or resource modification indication information.

[0165] S907, AMF performs corresponding operations according to the indication information carried by the target PDU session request.

[0166] For example, if the target PDU session request carries resource release indication information, the AMF releases the dedicated PDU session resources corresponding to the user plane connection according to the resource release indication information. For another example, if the target PDU session request carries resource modification indication information, the AMF modifies the dedicated PDU session resources corresponding to the user plane connection according to the resource modification indication information.

[0167] Optionally, in a possible design, the user plane connection management method also includes a way for the UE and the LMF to subsequently transmit positioning information. In some examples, in step S901, the first message also carries second connection indication information, and the second connection indication information is used to indicate that the positioning information is transmitted through the control plane connection. After step S903, the UE and the LMF can transmit the positioning information through the control plane connection according to the second connection indication information. In some other examples, the UE and the LMF can transmit the positioning information through a new user plane connection.

[0168] Fig.10 According to an exemplary embodiment, a diagram of interaction between UE and LMF in a user plane connection management method is shown. The method may include the following steps:

[0169] S1001, UE sends a first message to LMF through the user plane connection between UE and LMF, wherein the first message is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection.

[0170] S1002, LMF sends a second message to the UE through the user plane connection, wherein the second message is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the user plane connection.

[0171] S1003: The UE determines to terminate the user plane connection based on the second message.

[0172] S1004, the UE sends a target PDU session request to the AMF, where the target PDU session request carries one of the following: indication information for determining to terminate the user plane connection, indication information for releasing resources, and indication information for modifying resources.

[0173] S1005, AMF performs corresponding operations based on the indication information carried in the target session request.

[0174] For example, if the target PDU session request carries resource release indication information, the AMF releases the dedicated PDU session resources corresponding to the user plane connection according to the resource release indication information. For another example, if the target PDU session request carries resource modification indication information, the AMF modifies the dedicated PDUsession resources corresponding to the user plane connection according to the resource modification indication information. For another example, if the target PDU session request carries user plane connection termination indication information, the AMF deletes the context of the user plane connection according to the user plane connection termination indication information.

[0175] Optionally, in a possible design, the user plane connection management method also includes a way for the UE and the LMF to subsequently transmit positioning information. In some examples, in step S1001, the first message also carries second connection indication information, and the second connection indication information is used to indicate that the positioning information is transmitted through the control plane connection. After step S1003, the UE and the LMF can transmit the positioning information through the control plane connection according to the second connection indication information. In some other examples, the UE and the LMF can transmit the positioning information through a new user plane connection.

[0176] Above Figure 8 , 9 In 10, the network element or device on the core network side can interact with the UE through the access network device, and this application does not specifically limit the execution process of the access network device. And the process of interaction between the LMF and the UE through the user plane connection can be through the UPF, and this application does not specifically limit the execution process of the UPF.

[0177] Based on any of the above embodiments, the present application also provides a user plane connection management method, which can be executed by AMF. Fig.11 As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0178] S1101, AMF receives a target message, where the target message carries indication information for determining to terminate a user plane connection, where the indication information for determining to terminate a user plane connection is used to indicate that a target user plane connection has been terminated.

[0179] In specific implementation, the target message may be sent by LMF, such as the target message may be the third message sent by the aforementioned LMF. Alternatively, the target message may be sent by UE, such as the target message may be the target PDU session request sent by the aforementioned UE carrying the indication information for determining the termination of the user plane connection.

[0180] S1102: AMF deletes the context of the target user plane connection based on the target message.

[0181] Based on the same inventive concept, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which may include an LMF and a UE. A first device sends a first message to a second device through a user plane connection between the first device and the second device, wherein the first message is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection, wherein the first device is one of the location management function network element and the user equipment, and the second device is the other of the location management function network element and the user equipment;

[0182] The second device sends a second message to the first device through the user plane connection, wherein the second message is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the user plane connection;

[0183] The first device determines, based on the second message, to terminate the user plane connection.

[0184] In the embodiments of the present application, the interaction process between the first device and the second device can refer to the relevant introduction in the aforementioned embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0185] In a possible implementation manner, the first message carries first connection indication information, where the first connection indication information is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection.

[0186] In a possible implementation manner, the second message carries confirmation termination indication information, where the confirmation termination indication information is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the user plane connection.

[0187] In a possible implementation manner, the first message further carries second connection indication information, where the second connection indication information is used to indicate that the positioning information is transmitted via a control plane connection. The first device may transmit the positioning information to the second device via the control plane connection.

[0188] In a possible implementation manner, the first device and the second device transmit positioning information through a new user plane connection.

[0189] In a possible implementation manner, the location management function network element may further send a third message to the access and mobility management function network element, wherein the third message carries information indicating that the user plane connection has been terminated, and the information indicating that the user plane connection has been terminated is used to indicate that the user plane connection has been terminated. The access and mobility management function network element deletes the user plane connection according to the third message.

[0190] In a possible implementation manner, the UE sends a target protocol data unit PDU session request to the access and mobility management function network element, where the target PDU session request carries one or more of the following information:

[0191] one of the resource release indication information and the resource modification indication information, and the user plane connection termination indication information;

[0192] The resource release indication information is used to indicate the release of the protocol data unit session corresponding to the user plane connection, the resource modification indication information is used to indicate the modification of the protocol data unit session corresponding to the user plane connection, and the user plane connection termination indication information is used to indicate that the user plane connection has been terminated. The access and mobility management function network element can perform corresponding operations according to the indication information carried by the target PDU session request.

[0193] In addition, the present application also provides an electronic device, such as Fig.12 As shown, the electronic device may include a processor 1201, a memory 1202 and a communication interface 1203, wherein the processor 1201, the memory 1202 and the communication interface are connected via a bus 1204, and the communication interface 1203 is used to communicate with the peer network device, including but not limited to sending requests and receiving responses, and the memory 1202 stores a computer program, and the processor 1201 executes the steps in the user plane connection management method executed by the LMF in the above embodiment according to the computer program.

[0194] The present application also provides an electronic device, such as Fig.13 As shown, the electronic device may include a processor 1301, a memory 1302 and a communication interface 1303, the processor 1301, the memory 1302 and the communication interface are connected via a bus 1304, the communication interface 1303 is used to communicate with the opposite network device, including but not limited to sending requests and receiving responses, the memory 1302 stores a computer program, and the processor 1301 executes the steps in the user plane connection management method executed by the UE in the above embodiment according to the computer program.

[0195] The present application also provides an electronic device, such as Fig.14As shown, the electronic device may include a processor 1401, a memory 1402 and a communication interface 1403, the processor 1401, the memory 1402 and the communication interface are connected via a bus 1404, the communication interface 1403 is used to communicate with the peer network device, including but not limited to sending requests and receiving responses, the memory 1402 stores a computer program, and the processor 1401 executes the steps in the user plane connection management method executed by the AMF in the above embodiment according to the computer program.

[0196] In any electronic device provided in the embodiments of the present application, the processor involved may be a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof.

[0197] The present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes a user plane connection management method.

[0198] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, including a computer program, which implements the steps of the above-mentioned user plane connection management method when executed by a computer.

[0199] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application may adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application may adopt the form of a computer program product implemented in one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) that include computer-usable program code.

[0200] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the processes and / or boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device generate instructions for implementing the processes in the flowchart and / or block diagram. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in a block or multiple blocks.

[0201] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory capable of directing a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising an instruction device, which implements the process Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A function specified in one or more boxes.

[0202] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions for implementing the process. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A step that specifies a function in one or more boxes.

[0203] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A user plane connection management method, characterized in that: The method comprises: A first device sends a first message to the second device through a user plane connection between the first device and the second device, wherein the first message is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection, wherein the first device is a location management function network element or a user equipment, and the second device is the other of the location management function network element or the user equipment; The first device receives, through the user plane connection, a second message sent by the second device, wherein the second message is used to indicate confirmation of terminating the user plane connection; The first device determines, based on the second message, to terminate the user plane connection.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in, The first message carries first connection indication information, where the first connection indication information is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in, The second message carries confirmation termination indication information, where the confirmation termination indication information is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the user plane connection.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first message also carries second connection indication information, where the second connection indication information is used to indicate that the positioning information is transmitted through a control plane connection.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first device and the second device transmit positioning information via the control plane connection.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: If the first device is the location management function network element, after determining to terminate the user plane connection, the method further includes: The first device sends a third message to the access and mobility management function network element, where the third message carries indication information for determining to terminate the user plane connection, where the indication information for determining to terminate the user plane connection is used to indicate that the user plane connection has been terminated.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: If the first device is the user equipment: after determining to terminate the user plane connection, the method further includes: Send a target protocol data unit (PDU) session request to the access and mobility management function network element, where the target PDU session request carries one or more of the following information: one of the resource release indication information and the resource modification indication information, and the user plane connection termination indication information; Among them, the release resource indication information is used to indicate the release of the protocol data unit session corresponding to the user plane connection, the modification resource indication information is used to indicate the modification of the protocol data unit session corresponding to the user plane connection, and the termination user plane connection indication information is used to indicate that the user plane connection has been terminated.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first device and the second device transmit positioning information through a new user plane connection.

9. A user plane connection management method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The second device receives a first message sent by the first device through a user plane connection between the second device and the first device, wherein the first message is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection, wherein the first device is a location management function network element or a user equipment, and the second device is the other of the location management function network element or the user equipment; The second device sends a second message to the first device through the user plane connection, wherein the second message is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the user plane connection.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that in, The first message carries first connection indication information, where the first connection indication information is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that in, The second message carries confirmation termination indication information, where the confirmation termination indication information is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the user plane connection.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that: The first message also carries second connection indication information, where the second connection indication information is used to indicate that the positioning message is transmitted through a control plane connection.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first device and the second device transmit positioning information via the control plane connection.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that: If the second device is the location management function network element, after sending the second message to the first device, the method further includes: The second device sends a third message to the access and mobility management function network element, where the third message carries indication information for determining to terminate the user plane connection, where the indication information for determining to terminate the user plane connection is used to indicate that the user plane connection has been terminated.

15. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that: If the second device is the user equipment: after sending the second message to the first device, the method further includes: Send a target protocol data unit (PDU) session request to the access and mobility management function network element, where the target PDU session request carries one or more of the following information: one of the resource release indication information and the resource modification indication information, and the user plane connection termination indication information; Among them, the release resource indication information is used to indicate the release of the protocol data unit session corresponding to the user plane connection, the modification resource indication information is used to indicate the modification of the protocol data unit session corresponding to the user plane connection, and the termination user plane connection indication information is used to indicate that the user plane connection has been terminated.

16. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first device and the second device transmit positioning information through a new user plane connection.

17. A user plane connection management method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The access and mobility management function network element receives a target message, where the target message carries indication information for determining to terminate the user plane connection, where the indication information for determining to terminate the user plane connection is used to indicate that the target user plane connection has been terminated; The access and mobility management function device deletes the context of the target user plane connection based on the target message.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The target message is sent by a location management function network element; or the target message is sent by a user equipment.

19. A communication system, characterized in that: The system includes a location management function network element and a user equipment; A first device sends a first message to the second device through a user plane connection between the first device and the second device, wherein the first message is used to indicate a request to terminate the user plane connection, wherein the first device is one of the location management function network element and the user equipment, and the second device is the other of the location management function network element and the user equipment; The second device sends a second message to the first device through the user plane connection, wherein the second message is used to indicate confirmation of termination of the user plane connection; The first device determines, based on the second message, to terminate the user plane connection.

20. An electronic device, characterized in that: including memory and processor; The memory is used to store computer instructions; The processor is used to execute the computer instructions to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-18.

21. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and when the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

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